The Last Tycoon (1976)

Director:

Elia Kazan

Writers:

F. Scott Fitzgerald (novel)
Harold Pinter (writer)

Release Date:

19 November 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

He has the power to make anyone's dream come true... except his own.

Plot:

F.Scott Fitzgerald's novel is brought to life in this story of a movie producer slowly working himself to death. |

Plot Keywords:

Sound Stage | Screenwriter | Movie Set | Deliberate Cruelty | Melancholy

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Monroe Stahr
Tony Curtis	...	Rodriguez
Robert Mitchum	...	Pat Brady
Jeanne Moreau	...	Didi
Jack Nicholson	...	Brimmer
Donald Pleasence	...	Boxley
Ray Milland	...	Fleishacker
Dana Andrews	...	Red Ridingwood
Ingrid Boulting	...	Kathleen Moore
Peter Strauss	...	Wylie
Theresa Russell	...	Cecilia Brady
Tige Andrews	...	Popolos
Morgan Farley	...	Marcus
John Carradine	...	Tour guide
Jeff Corey	...	Doctor
Diane Shalet	...	Stahr's secretary
Seymour Cassel	...	Seal trainer
Anjelica Huston	...	Edna (as Angelica Huston)
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Brady's secretary
Sharon Masters	...	Brady's secretary
Eric Christmas	...	Norman
Leslie Curtis	...	Mrs. Rodriguez
Lloyd Kino	...	Butler
Brendan Burns	...	Assistant editor
Carrie Miller	...	Ladly in restaurant
Peggy Feury	...	Hairdresser
Betsy Jones-Moreland	...	Lady writer
Patricia Singer	...	Girl on beach
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pamela Guest	...	Stahr's secretary (as Pamela Seamon)
Don Brodie	...	Extra on Set (uncredited)
Nicholas Cairis	...	Man at front table (uncredited)
Jester Hairston	...	Waiter in Stahr's office (uncredited)
Byron Morrow	...	Studio executive (uncredited)
Montana Smoyer	...	Disgruntled lady on elevator talking to husband (uncredited)
H.M. Wynant	...	Man at daillies (uncredited)

Directed by
Elia Kazan

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
F. Scott Fitzgerald		novel
Harold Pinter		writer

Produced by
Sam Spiegel	....	producer

Original Music by
Maurice Jarre

Cinematography by
Victor J. Kemper

Film Editing by
Richard Marks

Production Design by
Gene Callahan

Art Direction by
Jack T. Collis

Set Decoration by
Jerry Wunderlich

Costume Design by
Anna Hill Johnstone
Anthea Sylbert

Makeup Department
Gary Liddiard	....	makeup artist
Jean Burt Reilly	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Lloyd Anderson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Daigler	....	second assistant director
Daniel McCauley	....	first assistant director (as Danny McCauley)
Ron Wright	....	second assistant director

Sound Department
Larry Jost	....	sound mixer
Barbara Fallick Marks	....	sound editor (as Barbara Marks)
Ronald Poore	....	sound editor
Robert M. Reitano	....	sound editor (as Robert Reitano)
Winston Ryder	....	sound editor
Dick Vorisek	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Henry Millar	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Bob Rose	....	key grip

Music Department
Joseph Glassman	....	music editor

Other crew
Daniel McCauley	....	title designer

Production Companies

• Academy Pictures Corporation
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1976) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinéma International Corporation (CIC) (1977) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Look Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Paramount (2007) (Sweden) (DVD)
• VPS Film-Entertainment GmbH (19??) (Germany) (VHS)

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:11 | Iceland:L | Australia:M (original rating) | USA:PG (certificate #24458) | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-16 | UK:15

Company:

Academy Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Al Pacino rejected the leading role.

Quotes:

Kathleen: How old are you?
Monroe: I've lost track, about thirty-five I think.

Movie Connections:

References Casablanca (1942)

Mix of stars past and present

The Last Tycoon revolves around a 1930s movie mogul Monroe Stahr (Robert De Niro) and gives an insight into the studio system of the time. De Niro gives a subtle and sensitive performance as Stahr who becomes distracted following a chance sighting which reminds him of a love from his past. The ensuing budding romance is accompanied by a haunting Maurice Jarre score and beautiful cinematography. At times, though, this part of the film feels drawn out and not enough time is given to the star-studded supporting cast - especially Jack Nicholson, who has great scenes at the end of the film with De Niro. There are plenty of familiar faces, including Robert Mitchum, Tony Curtis, Ray Milland, Dana Andrews and Anjelica Huston, who mainly appear in cameo roles. The film as a whole is richly detailed and absorbing and is a compelling portrait of Stahr's work and love - a love invoked from the past that gradually unravels his grip on the present.